Open AccessWork and Career Experiences of Men from Families without College Experience
Author(s) -
Marianne Woodside,
Melinda M. Gibbons,
John Davison,
Christine Han,
Jeffrey R. Sweeney
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
the qualitative report
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2160-3715
DOI - 10.46743/2160-3715/2012.1755
Subject(s) - psychology , meaning (existential) , qualitative research , work (physics) , career development , phenomenology (philosophy) , pedagogy , adult development , social psychology , sociology , psychotherapist , epistemology , social science , mechanical engineering , philosophy , engineering
A dearth of research exists exploring the career and work development of adult men and the influence of family-of-origin on that development. In this qualitative study, the researchers used a phenomenological approach to examine the career and work experiences of men whose parents have no education beyond high school and the influences of family on these experiences. We describe five constituents: (a) what work is like; (b) preparation/education; (c) who or what influenced them; (d) how to act at work; and (e) challenges/opportunities/choices; and one essence: mottos from father, which articulate the meaning of the experience of work and career and the family influence on the experience. In conclusion, we provide implications for counselors working with adult men whose parents lack post-secondary education.